Reese Witherspoon on Celebrating Holidays with a Blended Family

Mario Testino/Vogue

The city of Paris is famous for attracting the love of many natives, tourists, and those simply looking for romance. Now, it seems that the city of lights has also won over actress Reese Witherspoon, who despite being able to "only count on one hand the times I’ve been to Paris," has grown to admire the heart of France and its people. "The people just love the city, and I can really see what they love about it," says Reese. In fact, Reese isn’t the only one who enjoys spending time in Paris as she shares that her two kids — Ava Elizabeth, 8, and Deacon Reese, 4 ½ — are equally in awe of their recent vacation spot! While Reese took Ava to watch the fireworks over the city, in the October issue of Vogue, she shares that the biggest hit was Deacon’s fascination with the metro system.

"He goes from one stop to another; it makes his day!"

In her latest film Four Christmases, Reese plays a modern, rich woman who seems to have the perfect life with her husband — played by Vince Vaughn — as the two live out a pact that neither will return to their own homes. The products of two divorced families, Reese shares that her character discovers that "when you don’t have that kind of connection to family, when you avoid those things, you also avoid a lot in your relationship." Although being the child of divorced parents is uncharted territory for the 32-year-old actress as her parents are still married, Reese realizes that after recently finalizing her divorce from Ryan Phillippe, "it’s a situation my own children will have to deal with, so it was of interest to me." More so, with the holiday season approaching, the Avon Global Ambassador is not naive to the fact that many children are left to choose between their parents’ household, as more often than not, divorced couples are not on speaking terms. "You don’t see the blended-family Christmas very much. And it really is a complication in a lot of people’s lives now. How do you see your mother and your father and not hurt anyone’s feelings," wonders Reese. Despite pondering her kids’ upcoming holiday season, there is no doubt that Reese is a "great mom," according to Vince, who shares that he "really respects" her for that very reason. Says Vince,

"She was just great with her kids when they came to the set. She’d make time for them, and you could tell by the way they acted that they were very comfortable and loving with her."

Reese and Vince’s new movie, Four Christmases, hits theaters November 26th.

Source: Vogue

Comments

I must say, Reese Witherspoon is one of the few child actresses who seems untainted by the Hollywood system.

I’ve come to admire her interest in becoming a positive role model to young women. (Remember when she said that blonde starlets shouldn’t downplay their intelligence just to conform to stereotype?) Though her roles aren’t always Oscar-worthy, she often makes movies that further her “good girl” image, one that I suspect is similar to her real life persona.

She also seems like a loving mother. I was pretty heartbroken when she and Ryan broke up. (Silly, I know:) But, they both seem to be making the best of the situation by putting their kids first and not using the press as a way of venting their anger with one another (assuming they did not part on the very best of terms).

I notice she also doesn’t do much to contribute to the rumor mill, even regarding her high profile relationship with Jake. Though she could use the relationship as a means to enhance her image, I read her privacy as a way of further sheltering her kids.

Sorry for my RW rant, but I had to say that she’s impressed me quite a bit recently. Kudos to Reese!

- Xan on October 14th, 2008

Depending on when divorce happens, it’s not always such a big deal for the kids to have to split their time during the holidays. I’m a child of an incredibly blended family and often had multiple Christmases. It just seemed normal… in fact, it feels weird to me not to be on the highway in a stinking hot car on Christmas day.

Now that we are adults we have a staggered Christmas season that starts in mid December when my Mum and stepfather get all seven of their kids together plus grandkids (Mum decided long ago she didn’t want to compete for Christmas day itself). Then there’s usually a pre-Christmas visit to one set of my in-laws, then a Christmas eve/day celebration with my Dad and Stepmother. Then there’s usually a Boxing Day thing with my other in-laws.

It can get expensive in terms of presents and travel, etc but we started a policy of just buying for the grandchildren (and all children under 18) and then we get assigned one adult to buy a present for.

I hope Reese and Ryan make it work for their kids too.

- Lilybett on October 14th, 2008

Reese and Ryan are both very mature and will figure out the holiday season without a hitch. They ALWAYS put their children first, which I greatly admire, and I’m sure isn’t as easy as it may seem considering their life style and profession.
Ava and Deacon always seem to be happy, healthy, confortable (no matter the situation), loved and normal children. Reese and Ryan obviously have been doing something right and I believe they will continue to put their childrens needs above what they themselves want.

- Bancie1031 on October 14th, 2008

Lillybet-I was going to say something similar.
My parents are divorced and grandparents are divorced and it was never a big deal,we also had multipule christmas. Reese does seems like shes a good mom, I agree with you xan.

- Liv on October 14th, 2008

Maybe I’m not up on my terminology, but what aspects of Reece and Ryan’s divorce make theirs a “blended” family? I thought examples of a blended family involve children from a former relationship, existing along with children from a current marriage like Seal & Heidi Klum. I just don’t think that is an accurate reflection of their situation. Ava and Deacon are simply children of divorced parents attempting to navigate through the holidays, as far as I can see.

- Chicki on October 15th, 2008

^ I took it as being blended as both her and Ryan have new partners who the kids spend time with.

- Brandi on October 15th, 2008